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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



INFORMATION 



FOR 



ARMY MEETINGS. 



In many places the fourth Sabbath evening of the month is devoted to 3 
Union Monthly Concert of Prayer for the Army and Navy. The deepest in- 
terest has been excited by these meetings. It is humbly suggested to all who 
believe- in the power of prayer, to form such meetings during the crisis of our 
nation's destiny. This tract is compiled with the view of affording information 
for these- Army Meetings. Please circulate it. 



JANUARY, 1865. , 




GEORGE H. STUART, Esq.., Chairman. 

JOSEPH PATTERSON, Esq., Treasurer. 

Rev. W. E. BOARDMAN, Secretary. 

Rev. LEMUEL MOSS, Secretary Home Organization. 

Rev. BERNICE D. AMES, Secretary Field Organization. 



(tfxmitm (Sammiitic. 



GEO. II. STUART, Esq., Philadelphia. 
Rev. Bishop E. S. JANES, D.D., N. Y. 
C. DEMOND, Esq., Boston, Mass. 
JNO. P. CROZER, Esq., Philadelphia. 
JAY COOKE, Esq., 
JOSEPH PATTERSON, Esq., " 
Rev. Bishop M. Simpson, D.D., " 









STEPHEN COLWELL, Esq., PhiWLi. 
Hon. WM. E. DODGE, Esq., New York. 
Rev. HEMAN DYER, D.D., 
W. S. GRIFFITHS, Esq., Brooklyn,N. Y. 
. S. GRIFFITHS, Esq., Baltimore, Md. 
II. G. JONES, Esq., Philadelphia. 
Rev. W.E. BOARDMAN, Ex. Off. Phila. 



JAS. B. BODOERS, PR., 52 AND 54 NORTH SIXTH ST., FHILADA. 



COMMUNICATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS 

May be sent to any of the following places, as may be most convenient. 

PHILADELPHIA.— Letters to Rev. W. E. Boardman, Rev. Lemuel Moss, or 
Rev. Bernice D. Ames, 11 Bank Street ; money to Joseph Patterson, at the 
Western Bank : stores to George H. Stuart, li Bank Street. 

ALBANY, N. Y.— Supplies to Thos. W. Olcott; letters to Levi Dedrick; mo- 
ney to Wm, McElroy. 

BALTIMORE.— Letters to Rov. J. McJilton, D.D.; money to Rev. G. P. Hays ; 
stores to G. S. Griffith, 89 & 91 West Baltimore Street. 

BANGOR, ME.— Letters, money and supplies to T. G. Stickney. 

BOSTON. — Letters to C. Demond, 91 Washington Street; money to Joseph 
Storey, 112 Tremont Street, stores to L. P. Rowland, Jr., Tremont Temple. 

BROOKLYN, L. I.— Letters to Rev. J. B. Waterbury, D. D.; supplies to W. S. 
Griffith, and money to Samuel B. Caldwell. Rooms, 16 Court Street. 

BUFFALO, N. Y.— Letters to Rev. S. Hunt ; money to F. Gridley ; supplies to 
J. D. Hill, M. D. Commission Rooms at 41 Pearl St. 

CHICAGO.— Letters to B. F. Jacobs, P. 0. Box 5801 ; money to John E. Far- 
well; supplies to Rooms Y. M. C. A., Methodist Church Block. 

CINCINNATI. — Letters to Rev. J. F. Marlay; money and supplies to A. E. 
Chamberlain, 51 Vine Street. 

CLEVELAND, 0.— Letters to L. F. Mellen; money to S. H. Mather; suppliw! 
to Stillman Witt. 

DETROIT, MICH.— Letters and money to C. F. Clarke, stores to E. C. Walker. 

FREDERICK, MD. — Letters, money and supplies to Gideon Bantz. 

HAGERSTOWN, MD.— Letters, money and supplies to Rev. J. Evans. 

HAE.TF0RD : Connecticut Brandt — Letters to Rev. H. Powers ; money to A. 
G. Hammond, Exchange Bank; supplies to Rooms of Ladies' Soldiers' Aid 
Society, 87 Asylum Street. 

HARRISBURG, PA. — Letters, money and supplies to Rev. T. H. Robinson. 

INDIANAPOLIS, IND.— Letters to C.N.Todd; money to James M.Ray; sup- 
plies to G. W. Clippinger. 

LAMBERTVILLE, N. J.— Supplies and money to J. A. Anderson; letters to 
C. Pierson. 

LOUISVILLE, KY. — Letters, monev and supplies to J. Edward Hardy, care 
of J. G. Dodge & Co., 325 Main Street. 

MILWAUKEE, WIS.— Letters to D. W. Perkins; money to John A. Dutcher; 
stores to Walter S. Cartel', care Dutcher, Ball & Goodrich, 103 E. Water St. 

NEW YORK.— Letters and supplies to Dr. N. Bishop; Rooms U. S. C. C, 30 
Bible House; money to James M. Brown, 59 Wall Street. 

PEORIA, ILL. — Money to Theo. Higbee ; letters and supplies to Wm. Reynolds. 
Rooms 10 South Adams Street (up-stairs.) 

PITTSBURG, PA.— Letters to Robert C. Totten : money to Wm. Frew, Jas. 
McCally & Co., 172 Wood St. ; Stores to Wm. P. Weyman, 79 Smithfield St. 

PORTLAND, ME. — Letters and supplies to Thomas R.Hayes; money to C. 
Sturdivant. 

PORTLAND, OREGON.— W. S. Ladd, Treasurer; of firm of Ladd & Tilton. 
Letters to Rev. G. H. Atkinson. 

PROVIDENCE, R. I.— Money to W. Vernon ; letters and supplies to W. J. King. 

ROCHESTER, N. Y.— Money and supplies to Oliver D. Grosvenor, 75 State St. 

SACRAMENTO, CAL.— Letters to Rev. J. S. McDonald; money to Dr. R. H. 
McDonald ; supplies to Rev. N. R. Peck. 

ST. LOUIS. — Money to Edwin Ticknor; Letters and supplies to Rev. J. H. 
Parsons, Cor. Secretary Christian Commission Rooms under Lindell Hotel.. 

ST. PAUL'S. MINN.— Letters to H. M. Knox; money to D. D. Merrill; sup- 
plies to D. W. Ingersoll. 

SAN FRANCISCO.— Letters to Rev. E. Thomas, 711 Mission St., money to P. 
Sather, (Sather & Co.,) supplies to J. B. Roberts, 215 California St. 

TROY, N. Y.— Letters and money to F. P. Allen; supplies to J. II. Willard. 

UTICA, N. Y. — Letters, money, and supplies to R. S. Williams, Treasure 
Army Com. Y. M. C. A., Oneida Bank. 

VIRGINIA, NEV. — Letters and money to Rev. Franklin Rising. 

WASHINGTON, D. C— Letters, money, and supplies to William Ballantyne, 
498 Seventh Street, or Rev. J. J. Abbott, 500 II St. 

WHEELING, W. V.— Letters, money and supplies to R. Crangle. 






INFORMATION 



JANUARY. MEETINGS, 



Qvmij f flu g^iomar* 

An Officer's Appeal for the Gospel. 
Since the memorable message of Cornelius the Cen- 
turian to the Apostle Peter, we have seen nothing of the 
kind so noteworthy, as the following letter from an officer 
of high position in the regular army, at the head-quarters, 
of the army of the Potomac. Whether we consider the 
position of the writer, the force of the arguments, the 
fervor of its spirit, or the novelty of a soldier pleading 
with ministers of Christ to give the gospel to the army, 
we must be deeply impressed by it. It was read to the 
Executive Committee of the Christian Commission on 
the day that a proposal to supply over two hundred cha- 
pel-tents, at a cost of $123,000, was under consideration. 
We need scarcely say that the decision to supply them, 



if the eliurcli would raise the means, was unanimous. 
Mr. Morris K. Jessup's plan of asking each church to 
buy a tent, to be inscribed with its name, was simulta- 
neously, and without consultation, proposed and acted 
on by the Presbyterian church of Tuscarora, Pa., and 
the Thompson Tuscarora Tabernacle is now on its way 
to Nashville. Thus the Lord has been preparing soldiers 
to ask for, and the churches to give, the means of grace. 
Let every church send on speedily its camp chapel-tent 
and every town an able preacher for six weeks to occupy 
it, 

The Christian Commission and its Work. 

Tt has never been my pleasure to have the opportunity 
of listening to the claims of the United States Christian 
Commission, as presented by any of its agents. Almost 
constant field service during the war, has precluded the 
possibility of my becoming acquainted with the feelings 
of Christians North towards the Commission. How do 
you estimate the importance of its operation? If the re- 
sults of its work have been communicated, very great in- 
terest must have been excited therein. 

I fear, however, that the sympathy of the churches in 
the workings of the Commission, is not proportionate to 
the interest they may feel in the result of its labors. 

Hard to get Preachers. 

\ am led to infer this from the fact, as I have learned, 

that it is very difficult to secure, not money, but the ser- 

of the right kind of preachers, for t\\e most limited 

| /I prescribed by the regulations of the Commission. 

What is the reason of this? One might inquire if it 

1 ■ Prom lack of patriotism; but, whenever I have been 



North, I have found ray Christian friends there especially 
anxious that this war should be fought out to the most 
bitter end. In every prayer-meeting I heard most ear- 
nest prayers offered for the efficiency of our armies — for 
the spiritual, as well as the temporal good of the soldier; 
especially for the sick and wounded of their number. Is 
not this patriotic ? Is it not very kind that the soldier 
should be thus remembered? Then, look at the dona- 
tions that are made to the Christian and Sanitary Com- 
missions. Are they not magnificent specimens of beire- 
ficence? It would seem so. All these are certainly most 
commendable; and were the like done in behalf of any 
other cause, it would be marvellously virtuous. 

Pra3*ing is Neither Fighting nor Preaching. 

But, in this case, suppose all should pray for the coun- 
try, make donations, and hope that the war would be 
vigorously prosecuted — and do nothing more. If that 
would do the work, how gladly would our brave sold 
do all this over and over again, iri lieu of the terrible 
hardships and exposures of their present life, nor think 
themselves either patriotic or benevolent! 

In order to maintain that great and holy struggle, it is 
necessary that a certain aggregate number of citizens 
shall be in th.Q field, denying themselves of all that is uY- 
sirable in life while they live, and ready in any Element 
to sacrifice that for which a man will give all that he 
hath. 

Your Business. 

It would be very difficult to select those who, more 
than some others, ought to make this sacrifice. My 
country is equally your country, and your country 



h equally my country. The object fur which we are 
fighting is equally dear to each, and is common to 
all. Every citizen owes, if ncad be, his life to his 
country. If, to avert from all a general danger, cer- 
tain particular citizens nobly volunteer their services 
and their lives on the battle-field, would you call it 
benevolence, when some of the rest, who are to share 
equally the reward won by the heroic few, donate a few 
dollars to relieve the hardships of their brave defenders? 
])o they not owe every thing they have, even to their 
very lives, to those who are fighting their battles, though 
under no more obligation to do so than their fellow-citi- 
zens, who practically have not sacrificed one accustomed 
luxury for their country's good? Are not all citizens, 
and especially Christian citizens, not in the army, under 
the deepest obligations, demanded alike by common gra- 
titude and justice, to contribute all that may be expedient 
to promote the benefit of those noble men who soon may 
lie heavily and cold on the bloody field, for them ? 

Can't Spare our Pastor. 
And yet there are some very patriotic churches which 
'"don't feel able to spare our pastor, to preaeh to the sol- 
diers in the army, for more than two weeks at most;" al- 
though mean while good supplies might be obtained to 
]) roach quite as usefully at home. The cushioned seats 
would remain quite as soft, and the temperature of 
the building would be just as nicely regulated, as if the 
pastor preached in his accustomed place. 



No Prayer-Meeting for Three Years. 

Not a week ago, I heard a Christian soldier state, in 
one of our camp prayer-meetings: — "I have been in the 
army three years, and this is the first privilege of this 
kind that I have enjoyed." All this time the brethren 
of his own church had not been deprived of a single ser- 
vice in consequence of the war. They had, indeed, 
prayed for their brethren in the army, but did not feel 
able to spare their pastor, to go and preach to their breth- 
ren in the army, though they were spiritually starving 
and dying in defence of the religious luxuries of thosa 
staying at home. 

I am sure it is only necessary for the churches at home 
to get a correct view of the facts, to secure the most 
prompt and unreserved co-operation with the Commission 
in every particular. 

An Eye-Witness. 
Having held official positions in the field, both East 
and West, which allowed of very extensive observation, 
and having never in any way been connected with thu 
(Commission, my opinions concerning it are perfectly in- 
dependent : they are presented on my own responsibility, 
in the hope that they may help the churches to form a 
j list appreciation of their duties and the privileges in con- 
nection with the work under consideration. 

An Open Door. 
The advantages which the army offers during tJte win- 
ter as afield of Christian labor are unparalleled,. 

At vast expense, we send missionaries to preach the 



8 

gospel in China and India, where, before one idea can be 
communicated to the people, weary months must be spent 
in the study of the language. After this is partially ac- 
quired, through innumerable difficulties, the missionary 
succeeds in collecting perhaps an audience, here and 
there, of children, women, and men, of by no means the 
most intelligent class. The good work is one eminently of 
faith and patience. The city pastor has an audience alike 
composed of different classes and grades, of such variety, 
that on many subjects it is difficult to address more than 
a small per centage of the audience directly at the same 
time. Then there are many who are too young, and 
many others too old, to afford much probability of suc- 
cessful fruition of the seed, no matter how earnestly it 
may have been scattered. 

All, whether young or old, and of every class, are more 
or less pre-occupied by the various occupations and ex- 
citements of city life, tending to preclude meditation on 
divine things. 

A Selected Congregation. 

If that pastor visit the army, as a delegate of the 
Christian Commission, he may go from one end of the 
line to the other, and throughout the entire army he will 
find but one style of audience; and that of the best pos- 
sible class, in this — it consists almost exclusively of young 
men. They possess good average intelligence; are not 
pre-occupied; arc not harassed by family cares; they 
are provided for; they have simply to obey orders when 
they come, and in the interim, have to endure so much 
wearisome monotony, that many who would not take the 
trouble to attend church when at home, would now glad- 
ly listen to any thing or any body. 



Soldiers Think. 
The soldier's life, though not favorable for reading, is 
very conducive to reflection. The drum beats, and he 
awakes, or gets his rations, or goes to bed, as the case 
may be, until it beats again. Without need for farther 
thought or care, he is (in winter-quarters) " as if he were 
a boy again." Their life is thus favorable both to atten- 
tion and reflection. Of similar age, with common pur- 
suits and dangers, they have common tastes and feelings. 
What is adapted to one, suits all. 

Ho Half-Fall Meetings. 

The soldiers are willing to hear the truth. I have 
never attended a meeting held by the Christian Commis- 
sion that was only half full. As a rule, they are over- 
flowing, even where they are held every evening in the 
week. 

Ho Stereotyped Meetings. 

It seems impossible to have meetings conducted in the 
uniform style so common in the churches North. Al- 
ways, after the first few meetings, a spirit of deep interest 
is awakened, taking on the character of what is termed a 
revival. 

Home and Sabbath-School. 

This, I think, is attributable to the fact that the ma- 
jority of our soldiers have once been under the influence 
of Sabbath-schools or Christian homes, so that the buried 
seed has only to be a little watered, and it springs up 
with a freshness that is truly reviving to witness. It 
matters not how profane and irreverent they may have 
become, with the soldier as with the sailor, the memories 



10 

of home and the Sabbath-school are very sacred, and even 
though nothing that is said may in itself interest them, 
there is always one certain clue; let something be said 
which shall awaken their early associations, and their 
feelings are immediately enlisted. They will never " go 
back," as they term it, on their "bringing up." 

Death Real, 
At home, should they be addressed on the uncertainty 
of life, youth and growing strength form a never-failing 
shield on which these admonitions are received; but 
here, touch that point ever so delicately, and every word 
brings up visions of dead comrades and hair-breadth 
escapes, to supersede any argument on that question. 
Death is to them as much a reality as life is. 

Wants Something to Love. 
The condition of the soldier* exhibits an advantage for 
the reception of truth, like to that which grows out of 
bereavement. So long has he been absent from those he 
loves, he begins to think of them with those who were 
dead long ago; and as at midnight hour, beneath the si- 
lent stars, he keeps his lonely watch, he comes, more than 
other men, to feel the want of something to love. In 
this yearning mood, the soul is very apt to feel after God. 
Many facts have I met with of soldiers coming off picket 
much wiser and much happier than when they went on. 

Will Have a God or an Idol. 
How, then, is it we have been accustomed to consider 
the life of the soldier so conducive to profligacy? Be- 
cause it is so. When the tide of feeling, rising in the 



11 

soldier's breast, is not taken at the flood by kind counsel 
and Christian sympathy, it bursts in scattered foam and 
dissipation. When reflection but starts accusing voices, 
its spell must be broken by loud oaths, the troubled spi- 
rit must be soothed by drink. Therefore is it most ur- 
gent efforts should be made to surround the soldier with 
every possible religious influence, seeing he is so easily 
saved from so much. 

Fearful Corruption. 

In the absence of these privileges, the men are, week 
after week, and perhaps month after month, lying crowd- 
ed in winter quarters, the intolerable ennui relieved only 
by a mutual exchange of all the filthy garbage that the 
vilest may have scraped from the filthiest kennels of hu- 
man depravity. 

The fearful corruption thus engendered, is truly ap- 
palling, rendering the atmosphere too often totally fatal to 
the last spark of youthful virtue. 

The Only Help. 
If the Christian Commission fail to do the work it 
contemplates, it icill be left undone. 

No Chapel Tents. 
During the winter it is impossible to have religious 
services in the open air. Yet there is not a tent in the 
( Government service, to my knowledge, provided for this 
purpose. 

A Revival at Every Chapel. 
I cannot conceive of any thing in which a benevolent 
Christian can make such a good investment for Christ as 



12 



in the presentation of a chapel-tent to the army. I have 
never seen one in use any where, but it became not only 
the occasion of deep awakening, but also inevitably a cen- 
tre round which, in various camps adjoining, a work of 



grace would commence. 



Besides one or two at each Corps Hospital, there should 
Lte one for every Brigade in the army. 

There is no other source, except the Commission, 
through which reading of any kind, except daily news, 
will reach the soldier. In no other way but by an orga- 
nization of this kind, recognized by the churches and by 
she Government, can chapels, Christian laborers, and re- 
ligious reading, be provided in any measure; as under 
no other circumstances could the necessary transporta- 
tion, passes, and mail facilities be obtained. 

Scarcity of Chaplains. 
Are there not Chaplains commissioned on purpose to 
do tins work?' Yes, but with some of the regiments 
only. In the Fifth Corps, which, I suppose, is as well 
supplied as any in the army, there are to-day thirty-seven 
regiments which have no chaplain. Then, as in every 
other corps, there is a brigade of artillery, there are in- 
dependent batteries, division field hospitals, ambulance 
trains, wagon trains, and all the various head-quarters, 
none of which are allowed chaplains at any time. For 
all this work: there are only six delegates and two chapel 
tents. Besides, supposing there was a superfluity of 
chaplains, what could they do comparatively without cha- 
pels, books, tracts, etc.? In the Second Corps there are 
to-day thirty-eight regiments without chaplains, besides 
all these, the separate commands in it detailed above. 



With this corps there are now but three working dele- 
gates. All the regular troops that have been in the army 
of the Potomac, with the exception of one regiment, have 
been totally without chaplains, even to bury their dead, 
and within a hundred miles of Washington have been less 
erred for than the rceognized heathen. There is a base 
hospital near City Point for many thousand patients. 
Shall that be supplied with chaplains by transferring 
them from the few regiments which have them ? 

So far as the magnitude of the operations of the Com- 
mission are concerned, it would seem that the presence 
or absence of a few chaplains, more or less, should scarce- 
ly be taken into account. 

The delegate of the Christian Commission has many 
advantages. ******* 

No Eestrictions. 
He is subject to no restrictions, except those made in 
the division of the labor by the Commission. If he is 
not well received in one place, he can walk a few steps 
farther on to another camp. A missionary in Pekin 
would meei with about as much limitation. He has no 
military orders to give, or to obey. He is understood to 
be working for the good of the soldier, not for pay; this 
is a free pass to the soldier's heart. 

Neighborly. 
He comes full of fresh enthusiasm, which is exceed- 
ingly refreshing and encouraging, especially to the sick 
soldier. It does him good to see the clean, smiling face 
of a civilian, and he likes to tell him of his many adven- 
tures, it seems so neighborly. Then comes the mutual 



14 

sympathy, followed by the gracious word, dropped into 
the open heart of the grateful soldier, who is made hap- 
pier for the coming week by the friendly interview. 

If the delegate happen to come from the same county 
as some of the men, they feel just like school-boys when 
visited by a relative from their distant home. The effect 
Ls more, cheering than any grown-up people at home will 
understand. 

We Want the Best. 

TIlc hind of delegates most needed, are not good readers 
of sermons. The real, main work of the (Commission 
must be done by steady, hard-working, faithful Christian 
men. The most desirable combination for a good dele- 
gate, would be a happy faculty of extemporaneous dis- 
course, with cheerful conversational qualities. There are 
in the army a large number of officers and men of very 
high intelligence, who, prior to entering the service, were 
accustomed to the best pulpit talent in the country. For 
three or four years they have heard but a few occasional 
sermons, and would seem to receive new life, could they 
but hear once more the inspiring words of their old pas- 
tor. 

Practise as Well as Preach. 

Why cannot the best men in the country visit the army 
occasionally, and encourage the brave men in the per- 
formance of those duties they once urged them to under- 
take? Are they not deserving of it? Would our com- 
fortable brethren at home be thus making a grower sa- 
crifice for us, than we are making for them? It is very 
desirable that our Christian brethren, who are eager for 
young men to enter the army, should, as far as possible, 
share -their burdens after they are in it, and thus in ear 



If) 

common cause manifest a common sympathy of Christian 
patriotism. 

A Eevivod Minister and Church. 

The church which sends its pastor to the army as a de- 
legate, will not loss any thing- 

The advantage is a mutual cue. The change is often 
yqhj beneficial to the health of the delegate. It opens 
to him a new world, enlarges his knowledge of men, of a 
thousand things which he failed before to comprehend, 
furnishes him with a new field for illustration, and quick- 
ens his zeal for the salvation of men. 

Preaching to Men in their Grave Clothes- 
lie preaches over graves here, and he feels that men 
are mortal. He exhorts men daily to come here to di-3, 
and they sit before him in their grave-clothes. 

Eeal Prayer-Meetings. 

The prayer-meetings in the army are not tame, formal, 
weakly meetings; they are as real as life anddeath, for sin- 
cerity and earnestness. I can compare them only to the 
old Fulton street daily prayer-meetings during the great 
revival, and they must contribute to the benefit of the 
pastor as well as of the soldier. 

The Holy Spirit seems to be secretly working in anti- 
cipation of the co-operation of God's servants. Both at 
City Point and nearer the front, sinners are coming to 
Christ, not likes tray sheep, but as doves flocking to their 
windows. 

Unprecedented Eagerness for Truth. 

During the ensuing winter, the field will be fully 
available ; it seems ripe for the harvest, and waiting only 



16 

for the church to thrust in the sickle. From what I have 
seen, I think there is a universal eagerness for religious 
truth in the army which is beyond all precedent. This 
is a work which demands no mean offering. It deserves 
not only the money of the church, but a liberal contribu- 
tion of its best talent and of its most faithful pastors, as 
the demands of the Commission may require. 

B. H., U. S. A. 
Head-quarters Army Potomac, Nov. 21, 186-1. 



Port Hudson, La., ) 
Nov. 23, 1864. / 

Dr. Smith. — Dear Sir: I received from you, last Sa- 
turday, two barrels, two packages, and a cask of Chris- 
tian Commission stores. 

Glad, indeed, to get them, especially the clothing, 
which is just the thing needed here during this cold wea- 
ther. I have but very little left of any kind. Socks are 
needed most. Please send more, as soon as you can. 
Forward to us all the socks you can spare. I am entire- 
ly out of diarrhoea medicine : please send us some of the 
blackberry cordial as soon as you can. 

The cask of pickles I delivered to Dr. Davids, the post 
surgeon, just as I received them. He was very glad to 
get them; said they were next to potatoes for the scur- 
vy, of which disease he had a number of cases. He 
said he should prescribe such a number of them to a pa- 
tient daily as medicine. The books and papers you sent 



17 

me, are all needed here, and can be profitably distri- 
buted. 

It is getting very cold in my room this weather. I 
have established weekly prayer-meetings here: we have 
one to-night. I am trying to do good by the blessing 
of God, and feel his presence with me. Help us by your 
prayers. 

Please remember me to brothers Brown, Diosse and 
Horton, and tell them I wish to be remembered in their 
prayers. 

Please send me some more of the U. S. Primers. I 
am all out, and they are daily calling for them; also, 
some Hymn-books for the Army and 'Navy. I have 
plenty of the Song Books. 

From your most obedient servant, 

True Whittier. 



In March, 1864, the two counties of Sagadahoc and 
Lincoln were assigned by the U. S. Christian Commission 
to the Bath Army Committee, for them to canvass in be- 
half of that Commission. This Committee's field of la- 
bor having been enlarged, now embracing five counties, 
namely, Sagadahoc, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Lincoln, 
and Knox, they wish to present to tne public the follow- 
ing statement of money and stores received and forward- 
ed by them from May 1st to November 1st: 

Bath, cash, $1,338 06 

" 12 boxes stores. 
Wiscasset, cash n± 55 



18 

Richmond, cash 185 80 

Dresden, " 31 15 

" 2 boxes stores. 

Boothbay, cash 4SG 52 

Southport, " 200 00 

Winnesrance, cash 106 00 

" 1 box stores. 

Phipsburg, cash 175 88 

" 1 box stores. 

Bowdoinham, cash 455 00 

" 4 boxes stores. 

Bowdoin, cash 92 75 

" 2 boxes stores. 

West Bath, cash i.. 146 46 

Woolwich, " 236 00 

" 4 boxes stores. 

Durham Union Church, cash 5 00 

" " " 1 box stores. 

Lewiston Factory, cash • 18 35 

Durham Congregational Church, cash 15 00 

Sundry collections and friends, cash 31 76 

Total, cash $3,939 .00 

27 boxes stores, valued at 1,350 00 

Whole amount, $5,289 00 

The work of the Christian Commission has been con- 
stantly increasing on the hands of the Executive Com- 
mittee, so that, in their words, "It is estimated that we 
shall need at least a million dollars to carry us through 
the winter with our present large operations." The work 
in Maine has been thoroughly organized, and it is hoped 



19 

that the middle district, embracing the above-named 
counties, will not be backward in doing its part in the 
glorious work of providing comforts for the noble men 
who are fighting our battles for us. 

Money and stores may be sent to either Charles Doug- 
lass or G-. H. Palmer, Bath, and will be immediately for- 
warded to the army. 

Charles Douglass, 

A. F. Beard, 

GrERSHOM H. PALMER. 

Army Com. for the Middle Dist. of Maine. 



Sit* glxttmuftMh ?all*g. 

Stations and Delegates U. S. C. C. 
It is now two and a half months since I entered on 
my duties in this department, and they have been months 
of constant activity, and I believe, too, of important re- 
sults for good. There was but one station in the Valley 
at that time — at Sandy Hook — and but three delegates — 
Revs. Woods, Curtis, and Brackett. At present we have 
stations at the following places: Saniy Hook, Harper's 
Ferry, Winchester, Martinsburg, Cumberland, one near 
Gen. Sheridan's headquarters, and one at Stephenson's 
Station, the present terminus of the Winchester Rail- 
road. Several other stations will be established as soon as 
the army becomes more settled. Delegates have also been 
sent to Frederick, and one is about to go to Hagerstown, 
to assist Rev. J. Evans in the work at that point. During 
these two and a half months we have had seventy-five 



20 

delegates in the field, of whom about twenty-five are at 
present engaged. These have been noble men — Chris- 
tian ministers and laymen — who came with a desire to 
benefit the bodies and souls of our soldiers. They have 
been men of piety and good works, who could prepare 
food for the hungry, wash, dress, and nurse the wounded- 
and who could at the same time pray with a dying man. 
and point him to the Great Physician. 

Angols' Visits. 

The two points of greatest, need during the campaign 
have been Winchester and Martinsburg: the former as 
tlie centre of our great hospitals, and the latter chiefly 
as the feeding station where the men stopped on their 
way to other hospitals, and where our delegates have 
labored night after night in feeding, washing and dress- 
ing, and in assisting the men into the cars. It deserves 
to be recorded of the loyal ladies of Winchester and Mar- 
tinsburg that in this campaign they have proved their 
devotion to their country's cause by doing every thing in 
their power to alleviate the sufferings of those who have 
fallen in the country's battles. Early and late we have 
found them in the hospitals, hastening noiselessly from cot 
to cot, bearing thefduxuries and delicacies of their own 
tables to nourish the weary sufferers, and with smiles and 
cheerful welcomes reviving many a drooping heart — wo- 
men whose sole design is to aid them in caring for their 
men. Every thing is working smoothly, successfully, and 
harmoniously, and the blessing of God is accompanying 
and following our labors. 

Praying that the richest blessings of Heaven may still 
rest upon yon, and upon all your co-laborers, and begging 



21 

myself an interest in your prayers, and the prayers of all 
our friends, I remain, 

Most truly yours, 

J. E. Miller. 

The Ladies of the Christian Commission. 
Interesting- Items. 

At the Convention of Western Branches, of which a re- 
port appears on another page, Mrs. Wittenrnyer was lis- 
tened to with great interest while she detailed to some 
extent the kitchen work of the Commission. This auxi- 
liary was adopted last January, and originated with Mrs. 
Wittenmyer, and since that time she has been laboring 
in that behalf. Army surgeons recognize it to be a fact 
that the cooking of hospitals is very deficient, and also 
that good diet is very essential to the comfort and reco- 
very of the sick and wounded. At one time there were 
twenty-four of these kitchens in successful operation. 
They are more generally used in the army of the Cum- 
berland than elsewhere, where they have been very effi- 
cient. The kitchens are supplemental to the hospitals, 
subordinate to the military authorities. 

In the operations of the kitchen, there is, first, a general 
table for all those who are able to walk, who get full ra- 
tions; and, secondly, a special diet kitchen for the very 
sick, where the fare is good enough for Abraham Lincoln 
and his cabinet. Soups, meats, delicacies, and every thing 
palatable for sick men, are gotten up in this department. 
The demand for potatoes and all kinds of vegetables is very 
great. These kitchens have an independent store-room, 
and the lady in charge carries the key, so that there is little 
fear of a misapplication of any supplies. These kitchens, 



22 

in addition to the good done by them to the physical 
wants of the soldiers, secure the presence of good, practi- 
cal Christian women, which results in great good to the 
spiritual wants of the soldiers. The ladies write their 
letters, talk and sing to them, read the Bible, and minis, 
tor in a thousand ways that women only know. Mrs. 
Wittenmyer has lately visited the army of the Cumber- 
land, and made arrangements for extending these Com- 
mission kitchens in that military department. To give 
some idea of the work, she referred to the Oumbeflahd 
hospital, at Nashville, where the kitchen is in charge of 
Miss Morehead. There were there at one time over 
eight hundred on special diet, for whom over twenty dif- 
ferent dishes had to be prepared daily, and sometiiriea 
the number ran over eleven hundred. There are three 
thousand five hundred patients in the hospital most of 
the time, and one day^fter all the other work, the ladies 
issued over five hundred arm-slings to poor mutilated 
soldiers after one of the battles. In addition to the work 
germain to the diet kitchen, it was often found necessary 
to work all night in preparing straps and bandages, which 
the women at home could do just as well, if they were 
only aroused to the necessity of their laboring. She 
hoped American women would renew their efforts for 
soldiers, and relieve their sisters in the field of such work 
as could be done in the rear. Contributions are needed 
pf canned and dried fruits, all kinds of vegetables, and 
other articles useful in that department. 



Legacies, 
Mr. Chamberlain, of Cincinnati, exhibited two notes, 
one a five dollar greenback, received from a dying soldier. 
accompanied with the simple words : " This is all I have 
to leave on earth. I want to give it to the best friend I 
have ever had — the Christian Commission. " The other 
a two dollar note given by an old lady, with the re- 
mark that "This was all John had when he died; and, as 
the Christian Commission was instrumental in bringing 
him to Christ, I know he would want me to give it to 
that Commission, if he were alive." 



Mr. B. F. Jacobs, of Chicago, stated, at the Convention 
of Western Christian Commission Branches, in Indianapo- 
lis, last month, that in one brigade, in Texas, five hun- 
dred and fifty-seven men had joined the army church in 
five weeks. 

A Messenger of the Churches. 

The heralds of salvation and messengers of mercy are 
painted with wings, to show their power of rapid move- 
ment. Many of the delegates of the Christian Commis- 
sion seem to be in training for angelic honors. Rev. 
M. Hitchcock's report is a specimen of the labors of these 
messengers of mercy. 

Tea Days Neglected. 
I reached Fredericksburg, in company with others, 
Thursday evening, May 19. We walked from Belle Plain: 



24 

carrying our luggage. Friday morning was assigned to 
duty in the Gth corps, 2d division, 2d ward, hospital E. 
Found here fifteen men. Occupied myself with two men 
cf the worst, — one from Vermont and one from Massa- 
chusetts; had been wounded ten clays, and not even the 
blood washed off their hands and faces since. Washed 
them, cut their hair and beard. Grot some gruel from 
our rooms; and at noon all were removed, except the one 
for whom I had done the most; he had died. I felt that 
to be able to make him comfortable the last three hours 
of his life was a real privilege. 

The Mill. 
P. M. — Went to an old mill, just being filled up It 
was two miles up the river, opposite Falmouth ; contained 
about two hundred and sixty-five men. With others, I 
labored as hard as I could, — conscious, all the time, that 
men were suffering, — until Monday night. When this 
hospital was evacuated, I was one of the first at Fredericks- 
burg. I did not get water to wash a single one's face, or 
time to write a letter, until Sabbath afternoon. I. had 
two services that day, however. 

Stimulus to Labor 
Tuesday, A. M. — I repaired to the railroad station, 
where lay six hundred poor fellows on the ground, where 
they had been since midnight. Here I remained until 
Thursday noon, with scaccely any sleep or rest, coming 
to Washington, with the last load of wounded, in charge 
of the Christian Commission tent and remaining stores, 
where we arrived Friday noon. I think I never did 
more physical labor, — preaching the gospel and minister- 



25 

ing to the comfort of suffering men, — in any previous 
four weeks of my life. 

Freight of Wounded. 

Monday, May 30, P. M. — The company, with twenty- 
six delegates, went on board a chartered steamer, drawn 
by a tug, with stores for White House. I was put in 
charge of all. Reached White House, after a pleasant 
passage, Wednesday afternoon. That night and the re- 
mainder of the week, taking care of men brought from 
the battle-field, and putting up tents. Saturday after- 
noon, was directed, by the medical director, with eleven 
others, to proceed to Washington, on board a steamer 
then leaving, with wounded men. I had the care of this 
company and four hundred and fifty wounded. There 
had been no suitable superintendence in having the 
steamer ready, with supplies, and the captain was most 
unsympathizing with regard to the wants of the poor 
suffering men. We delegates thought we had a hard 
time of it, being quite worn out when we arrived at Alex- 
andria, Monday afternoon. 

Tuesday, on board the mail steamer, I returned to 
White House, in charge of a company of delegates. 
From Wednesday afternoon until Saturday, had the 
superintendence of a cavalry corps. Saturday, went to 
Cold Harbor, walking a good share of the distance in the 
hot sun, which proved too much for me. The next day 
the army moved, starting for James River. The 18th 
corps went to the Y/hite House, where I was left, Mon- 
day morning, to go around with the supplies. But, being 
no better on Thursday, it was thought best I should go 
at once to Washington, via steamer to Baltimore. After 



26 

two days' rest, I was enough better to attend to duty. 
Two days I spent with a Massachusetts officer, Captain 
Alley, and was then put into the store-room 500 II Street, 
where I remained until the evening of July 5th, a period 
of fifteen days. 

Keeps one of his Church Members in his Place. 
Both at Fredericksburg and White House, and on the 
"Utica," my work was such as it was difficult to keep an 
account of. It was genuine hard work all of the time, 
and it wore upon me gradually until the time I was taken 
sick. But it was most delightful service. A member 
of my church is now at City Point, and I hope to keep 
one there until I can go again, or there be no more oc- 
casion for delegates. 

Most truly yours, 

M. H. Hitchcock. 



11 <& ©Itofcttott (Btoromtejsiuw, 

Convention of the Western Branches'. 

Upon the call of the Secretary of the Home Organi- 
zation, representatives of the various Western Branches 1 
of the U. S. Christian Commission met in Convention, 
in the city of Indianapolis, (in Wesley Chapel,) on Tues- 
day, November 29th, and continued in session three 
days. 

Members were present as follows : 

Central Office, Philadelphia. — Kev. W. E. Boardman, 
Corresponding Secretary; Rev. Lemuel Moss, Home 
Secretary. 

Wheeling. — Rev. S. B. Barnitz. 



27 

Cincinnati. — Judge Bellamy Storer, A. E. Chamber- 
lain, Rev. B. W. Chidlaw. 

Cleveland. — Joseph Perkins, George Mygatt. 

Milwaukee. — W. S. Carter, J. A. Dutchcr. 

Peoria. — Rev. W. E. M'Laren, George H. M'llvaine. 

St. Louis. — Rev. S. Wells, J. H. Parsons, Isaac S. 
Smyth. 

Chicago. — B. F. Jacobs, Rev. J. M. Strong. 

Indianapolis. — Dr. Clippinger, James M. Ray, Rev. F. 
C. Holliday, J. T. Dunn, J. C. Hereth, C. N. Todd. 

Louisville. — Isaac Russell. 

Nashville. — Rev. J. C. Thomas. 

Memphis. — K. A. Burnell. 

Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer, being present, was invited 
to sit as a delegate. 

The officers of the Convention were : 

For President. — Hon. Bellamy Storer, of Cincinnati. 

For Vice President. — Isaac S. Smyth, of St. Louis, 
Joseph Perkins, of Cleveland. 

For Secretary. — G. II. M'llvaine. 

The Principal Committees were : 

Committee on Enrolment. — C. N. Todd, George H. 
M'llvaine, J. A. Dutcher. 

Committee on Permanent Organization. — Isaac Rus- 
sell, W. E. M'Laren, B. F. Jacobs. 

Committee on Business. — A. E. Chamberlain, J. II. 
Parsons, Chaplain J. C. Thomas, W. S. Carter, Joseph 
Perkins. 

The three days were fully occupied in discussions upon 
the whole work of the Commission, at home and in the 
field. Rarely has such a gathering been more strongly 
characterized by earnest attention to business and by a 



28 

spirit of Christian devotion and harmony. All felt that 
God had committed to them, as his stewards, the most 
important trusts, and that they were animated by com- 
mon desires and aims. Interesting reports were mado 
from the various home districts. Chaplain Thomas 
warmed all hearts by the details of his system of libra- 
ries for hospitals, &c. Mrs. Wittenmyer gave a full out- 
line of the diet-kitchen work. Public meetings were 
held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, which were 
largely attended. 

We cannot give even a brief synopsis of the entire 
proceedings. Some of the more important points and 
resolutions are presented : 

Mr. Chamberlain offered the following resolution, 
which had received the sanction of the Philadelphia 
office, which was adopted : 

Resolved, That the experience of the IT. S. Christian 
Commission has shown that its work can be most properly 
carried on by a conjunction of the distribution of religious 
reading matter and stores, and the personal ministrations 
of delegates ; and that stores for the purpose should b© 
under the immediate control and command of the Com- 
mission, and to this end we commend to the several 
Branches the collection of stores, with which to aid in 
supplying delegates for their work. 

By the same gentleman, from the Business Com- 
mittee, which was also adopted : 

Resolved, That in the work of the United States Chris- 
tian Commission, there is committed to our care a most 
sacred trust; and that it is our duty, as members of this 
Commission, to use every means to insure the direct appli- 
cation of all stores and funds so generously contribute^, 
to the appropriate work of our commission, viz.: the care 
of the army and navy of the United States. 

2d. That we individually, and as a commission, most 
cordially bid God speed to every organization at work for 
the good of our soldiers, refugees and freedmen. 



29 

Tlie Convention endorsed the voluntary and econo- 
mical conduct of the work, in the following : 

Resolved, That in the work of organization and collec- 
tions at home, for the supply of army work of the Chris- 
tian Commission, the voluntary principle of an unpaid 
Agency should be strictly and sacredly adhered to ; but 
that a permanent paid Agency may be and ought to be 
employed so far, and only so far as is necessary to direct, 
systematize, and render thorough, the unpaid services of 
returned delegates and others. 

On the subject of thoroughly canvassing the coun- 
try, and organizing in every community, the Business 
Committee reported the following, which were adopted : 

That, in addition to the branch organizations, there 
should be formed in every locality, where it may be done 
to advantage, army committees to carry forward the work 
as auxiliaries to the Branch of the district embracing 
that locality. 

That effort should be made every where to interest the 
ladies in this work, and to induce them, if not already 
associated together in some other soldiers' aid organiza- 
tion, to form Ladies' Christian Commissions, into whieh 
all the ladies should be gathered, and with them all the 
men, and the children, if possible, as members, that 
every individual, old and young, male and female, may 
have membership in the Commission and part in the 
work. 

That, in this great work, the press should be fully em- 
ployed in newspaper articles, and by circulars and pam- 
phlets. 

Respecting railroad, and other facilities, it was unani- 
mously 

Resolved, That our different Branches be instructed to 
exercise the severest fidelity, scrutiny and care, in regard 
to the railroad, express, steamboat and telegraph facilities 
so generously accorded to us. 

Reference is made, elsewhere, to the subject of diet- 
kitchens. 



30 

The great question of chapels for the army was fully 
discussed, many facts of interest brought out, and the 
following resolution passed : 

Resolved, That this Convention approve the building of 
field chapels and chapel roofs, and that the public bo 
earnestly appealed to, to furnish all the means to build 
them. 

Chaplain Thomas was accorded twenty minutes to ex. 
plain the system of Christian Commission libraries in 
the army of the Cumberland. There are twenty libraries 
in the hospitals at Nashville, Chattanooga and Murfrees- 
boro. Forty more are ordered, and will soon be there, 
supplying every permanent hospital in the country of 
which Nashville is the base. In the fifteen military de- 
partments of the army, there are about one hundred and 
fifty hospital Chaplains, and sixty-nine thousand three 
hundred men. An estimate of one hundred and twenty- 
five volumes to a library, with two men to one volume, 
would require four libraries to every thousand men. For 
the seventy thousand men it would require two hundred 
and eighty libraries. Sixty of these are already had, 
and twenty more can be made up from volumes already 
on hand. A great want of literature is felt in the army, 
wholesome, broad, stirring, deep secular reading, as well 
as of earnest religious books. The system of Commission 
libraries works well. From his experience, he knew that 
there were those in the army who needed sterling, stand- 
ard reading. The point is to cater to every taste. The 
nearer you can bring home to the army, the more useful 
you are. Let the soldiers have the reading which will 
develop and enlighten, and such as they have been used 
to at home. X no libraries are all suitable for 1 81110. 16mo, 



31 

12mo, and 8vo volumes. A sample of these libraries was 
in the room. 

The libraries are given to persons who, first, are capa- 
ble, and, second, religions, who give receipts that the 
volumes shall be skilfully used and cared for. Registers 
are kept, and by whom the books are drawn, in what 
ward and bed, and by this means the volumes are kept 
and traced beyond a peradventure. The libraries cost 
fifty dollars, on an average, for one hundred and twenty- 
five volumes. The cases will admit of one hundred and 
eighty, but the average number is one hundred and 
twenty-five. Monthly reports are made of the number 
of times the book has been drawn, and any incident con- 
nected with the reading of the book is carefully noted, 
so that a history of each book is preserved. What a 
valuable and Christian record will this form when the 
necessity for them is jiassed away ! These libraries are a 
part of the history of the war. The Chaplain detailed 
some of the experiences of the libraries, in the army of 
the Cumberland, fur the year and a half in which he had 
been engaged in this work. Tie was listened to with 
deep attention, and certainly, we may add, that if there 
be any one branch of the work of the Christian Commis- 
sion which should be sustained by the people at home, 
this matter of libraries addresses itself with peculiar and 
religious force. 

Mrs. Wittenmeyer added her testimony in her hospital 
work to the importance and Christian usefulness of- Chap- 
lain Thomas and his system of libraries. Many hundreds 
of soldiers had she heard give "three cheers for Chap- 
lain Thomas," or " God bless Chaplain Thomas." The 
effect of these libraries in breaking up card-playing, and 



32 

the frivolous amusements in the army, cannot be com- 
puted. 

Upon this subject, the Business Committee reported 
the following resolutions, which were immediately 
adopted : 

lU'solved, That we cordially endorse/the action of the Exe- 
cutive Committees in adopting the Magazine enterprise 
c< mmenced in the Departmer of the Cumberland, and in- 
cirely hope it may be vigorously carried out by all the neld 
agents. 

Resolved, That we heartily approve the introduction of the 
Loan Library system into the Department of the Cumber- 
land, and urgently request its immediate extension through- 
out all the Military Departments. 

.Resolved, That we gratefully acknowledge the generous 
services of the publishers in supplying their publications at 
J in If price; those of Adams' Express Company in transport- 
ing them free; and particularly those of Gould & Lincoln, 
Oi Boston, Poe & Hitchcock, of Cincinnati, Scribner & Co., 
of New York, and Ashmead & Evans, of Philadelphia, in 
shipping the publications thus procured without pay. 

It was a thrilling episode, when, in the midst of a dis- 
cussion^ Judge Storer read a dispatch from Nashville, 
stating that the enemy had been repulsed at Franklin, 
Tennessee, with the loss of six thousand men. This was 
acknowledged by the Convention singing : 

"Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," 

and the offering of a fervent prayer for the brave and 
bleeding soldiers of the Republic, by Rev. Lemuel 
Moss. Rev. Shepherd Wells gave the Convention a 
sketch of the country in which the battle occurred, 
having had his home for eighteen years in the neigh- 
borhood. 



33 

The following stirring letter from General Fisk, 
received during the session, may properly close our 
report of the Convention. All who know him, know 
his hearty participation in our work. 

Head-quarters District North Missouri, ) 
Macon, Mo., November 26, 1864. } 
Jicv. Lemuel Moss, Secretary Z7. 8. Christian Commission, 
Indianapolis, Ind. 
My Dear Brother: I am quite disappointed that my 
public duties imperatively demand my presence with my 
command, and therefore forbid me the pleasure I had 
anticipated in meeting yourself and others of our blessed 
Commission at Indianapolis, on the 29th instant. I am 
glad that you set this movement on foot, and that all the 
Western Committees will be well and earnestly repre- 
sented. May God be with you, and direct your counsels 
in wisdom. The fields of our harvest are widening and 
whitening daily. Let our power for good be felt in every 
camp and fortress, in siege, fight, and hospital, on shore 
and sea. Eush on the work. The Christian public are 
with us. Did the people of God ever before have such 
an opportunity. May they wisely improve it in casting 
their abundance into the treasury of the Lord. 
Yours, faithfully, 

for Liberty and Union, 

Clinton B. Fisk, 
Brigadier General U. S. 



tyMtrnxtj. 

Gov. Fairbanks, 
At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the V. 
S. Christian Commission, held at the Central Office, No. 
11 Bank street, Philadelphia, December 2d, 1864, the 
following minute, relative to the death of the late Gov. 
Fairbanks, was adopted and ordered to be published : 



34 

The Executive Committee have learned with deep re- 
gret of the death of the late Governor, Erastus Fairbanks, 
LL. D., member of the Commission for Vermont, which 
occurred at St. Johnsbury, on the 20th lilt. He is the 
first member who has been called away by death. He 
was a successful business man, and, as a manufacturer, 
his name had become familiar even in foreign countries. 
His fellow citizens evinced their confidence in his capa- 
bility and worth by repeatedly electing him their chief 
magistrate. During his last year of service in this posi- 
tion, his devoted love of country was exhibited in his 
efforts to prepare his gallant state for the heroic part she 
has performed in the present struggle for our nation's 
life. The manner in which he wielded the influence 
derived from his great wealth, ability, and high social 
position, is shown in the character of the community 
which has grown up around him, which has few rivals 
even in New England, for the comfort, thrift, intelligence 
and sobriety, which universally prevail. No intemperate 
person was employed in the extensive works over which 
he presided. He was a zealous friend of education, as 
well as of temperance, and was long a member of the 
corporation of the University of Vermont. All the great 
enterprises of the Church to bless and save men, such as 
the Bible, Tract, Sunday-school, Missionary and Sab- 
bath Observance movements, found in him an enlight- 
ened advocate and liberal supporter. In short, he was a 
man whose death is an unspeakable loss alike to his fa- 
mily and friends, the Church, the nation and the world. 



DTFOBMATIOEft DTSTRUOTIOM" ABOUT SUPPLIES, 



All good and suitable stores are welcomed, and all necessary freight and 
charges paid on them by the Commission, and are distributed by delogat' s of 
the Christian Commission personally. 

WHAT TO SEND. — Monet, by all means, if possible. We need funds to 
pay the expenses of our delegates and laborers in the field; for the purchase 
of books, tracts, papers, and for the purchase of delicacies and comforts not 
sent by your loving hearts, which are very necessary for distribution in the 
hospitals. 

The Special Diet Kitchens connected with the largest hospitals, now in 
successful operation, where delicacies and wholesome dishes are prepare;! for 
the sick soldier with the same care and skill as at homo by the ladies em- 
ployed in the Diet Kitchens by the Christian Commission, involve a large in- 
crease of labor and outlay of stores and funds. We appeal to the friends of 
the soldier at home, to meet this great, but necessary expense. 

Cotton Shirts, Cotton Drawers, Canton Flannel Shirts and Drawers, Sur- 
gical Shirts and Drawers, (with tape strings to tie, instead of seams at the 
sides,) Large Cotton Drawers (to wear in-doors as pants.) Dressing-gowns, 
Slippers, (if of cloth or carpet, with thick soles,) Sheets, Pillow-cases, Bedticks 
(single, for filling with straw,) Pillows, Pads for fractured limbs, Ring-pads for 
wounds, Fans, Netting to protect from flies, Housewives, stored with needles, 
thread, buttons, pins, &c, Handkerchiefs, Wash-rags, Old Linen. 

Oat-meal, Farina, Corn-starch, Dried Rusk, Jellies, Soda Biscuit, Butter 
Crackers, Boston Crackers, Pickles, Jams, Onions in Barrels, Apples in barrels, 
Cranberries, Dried Fruits. Eggs are always needed. They should be care- 
fully packed in boxes large enough to hold about 100 dozen, made with 
handles projecting from each end, made strong and packed full, well shaken 
down as they are packed, and sent by express. Good Black Tea, Chocolate, 
Lemons, Syrups. All preparations of the blackberry are of double value. 

Good Brandy, Madeira Wine, Port wine, Cordials. Domestic wines are ex- 
cellent in winter, apt to spoil in summer. 

Stationery is much needed, paper, envelopes and pencils. Send the best 
Books, Magazines, Periodicals, Pictorials, and late newspapers. 

HOW TO PACK. — Pack in boxes. Barrels are not as good. Secure well. 
Boxes should not be so large that two cannot conveniently lift them into a 
wagon. Pack eatables by themselves. Never pack perishable articles, such 
as oranges, lemons, bread, cakes, nor jars of jollies and jams, with other 
goods. Bottles and Jars should, when possible, be packed in boxes by them- 
selves, well filled with saw-dust or straw. Never pack Clothing, or Dried 
Fruits and Berries, with goods that are liable to break and spill. Tin cans 
should be soldered; all other modes fail. Stone jars should be corked and 
firmly bound with oiled linen or leather over the cork, and packed closely in 
saw-dust or hay, in boxes, never exceeding a dozen and a half in a box, and 
nailed strongly, to bear rough handling. Jellies in tumblers, covered with 
paper, and wines, cordials, &c, in bottles, with paper or other poor stoppers, 
are liable to spill out, and if packed with other things, sure to injure them. 

H<5W TO MARK. — Mark in plain letters and figures, with paint or ink on 
the boards — cards rub off. On one corner, the number of the box according 
to the number sent by you in all, numbering your first box *1, your second *2, 
your third *3, and so on from tho first sent to the last. On another corner, 
mark each box, as from your Society, giving the name, and have it conspicu- 
ously ADDRESSED TO THE MOST CONVENIENT BRANCH OF THE U. S. CHRISTIAN 
COMMISSION, AS DIRECTED ON THE NEXT PAGE. 

To secure acknowledgments, and to save trouble, also send an invoice or list 
by mail, on paper, the common letter sheet size, written only on one side, 
specifying each box or barrel by number, and giving the contents of each by 
itself. Give your own name and post-office in full, with tho name of your 
State. Place also another list or invoice of the same kind in tho box, under 
the lid. 



tRrafcd 'Sffittii Christian Commission 

OFFICERS: 

GEO. H. STUART, Chairman. 

JOSEPH PATTERSON, Treasurer. 

Rev. W. E. BOARDMAN, Secretary. 

Rev. LEMUEL MOSS, Secretary Home Organization. 

Rev. BERNICE D. AMES, Secretary Field Organization. 



EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: 



GEO. H. STUART, Philadelphia. 

Rev. Bishop E. S. JANES, D.D., N. Y. 

CHARLES DEMOND, Boston, Mass. 

JOHN P. CROZER, Philadelphia. 

JAY COOKE, 

JOSEPH PATTERSON, 

Rev. Bishop M. SIMPSON, D.D.," 



STEPHEN COLWELL, Philadelphia. 
Hon. WM. E. DODGE, New York. 
Rev. HEMAN DYER, D.D., N. Y. 
W. S. GRIFFITH, Brooklyn, N.Y. 
G. S. GRIFFITH, Baltimore, Md. 
HORATIO G. JONES, Philada. 
Rev.W.E. BOARDMAN, Ex. Off. Phila- 



MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION: 



Hon. George F. Patton, Bath, Me. 

Rev. Jas. Pike, Sanhornton Bridgo,N.H. 

Edward S. Tobey, Boston. 

Rev. Francis Wayland, D.D.,Trov., R.I. 

Rev. Bishop E. S. Janes, D.D., N. Y. 

Rev. Henian Dyer, D.D., N. Y. 

Hon. Wm. E. Dodge, N. Y. 

Nathan Bishop, L.L.D., N. Y. 

Morris K. Jesup, N. Y. 

Geo. II. .Stuart, Philadelphia. 

John P. Crozer, " 

Jay Cooke, " 

Joseph Patterson, " 

Hev. Bi3hop M. Simpson, D.D., Phila. 

G. S. Griffith, Baltimore. 

Hon.Waitman T.Willey, Morgan. W.Y. 

Rev. M. L. R. P. Thompson, D.D., Cin. 

A. E. Chamberlain, Cincinnati. 

Rev. R. J. Breckinridge, D.D., Lex., Ky. 

Hon. John V. Farwell, Chicago. 

Gen. Clinton B. Fisk. St. Louis. 

Rev. S. D. Storrs, Atchison, Kansas. 

J. B. Roberts, San Francisco. 

Hon. Jas. W. Nye, Carson City, Nevada. 



Rev. Rollin H. Neale, D.D., Boston. 

Charles Domond, Boston. 

Hon. W. A. Buckingham, Norwich, Ct. 

Rev. James Eells, Brooklyn. 

Walter S. Griffith, 

Samuel B. Caldwell, " 

John D. Hill, Buffalo, N. Y. 

Rev. Chas. Hodge, D.D., Princeton, N.J. 

Stephen Colwell, Philadelphia. 

Rev. W. E. Boardman, Ex. Off., Phila. 

Horatio G. Jones, Philada. 

William Frew, Pittsburg. 

Prof. M. L. Stoever, Gettysburg. 

Rt. Rev. Alfred Lee, D.D., Wilmn, Del. 

Hon. Francis H. Pierpoint, Alex'a, Ya. 

Mitchell H. Miller, Washington, D. C. 

Rt. Rev. C. P. Mcllvaine, Cincinnati, 0. 

Hon. Schuyler Colfax, South Bend, Ind. 

Hon. John Owen, Detroit. 

Walter S. Carter, Milwaukee. 

Hon. Hiram Price, Davenport, Iowa. 

Rev. E. Lehman, Chaska, Minn. 

Rev. S. Cornelius, Portland, Oregon. 

Hon. John Evans, Denver City, Col. 



Send money to Joseph Patterson, Treasurer U. S. Christian Com- 
mission, Western Bank, Philadelphia. 

Letters and Stores to U. S. Christian Commission, 11 Bank Street, 
Philadelphia. 



